Microsoft Xbox 720 (Next): No gameplay without Internet

Trent Nouveau, 4th April 2013

A number of reports indicate Microsoft's upcoming Xbox 720 (Next) console will be saddled with an "always on, always connected design" that supposedly allows users to "quickly and easily enjoy their connected entertainment experiences, with no waiting for the console to restart or install updates."

Interestingly, at least two independent sources recently confirmed the above-mentioned report (originating on VGLeaks this past March) to Kotaku, noting the console will be an always-online system, albeit one that is capable of tolerating dropped connections.

"Unless something has changed recently. Durango [720] consumer units must have an active internet connection to be used," one of the sources claimed.

"If there isn't a connection, no games or apps can be started. If the connection is interrupted then after a period of time - currently three minutes, if I remember correctly - the game/app is suspended and the network troubleshooter started."

Durango will also be sold with a new high-fidelity Kinect sensor, which is required for the system to operate.

"The Durango controller will make the best-in-class Xbox 360 controller even better. It will have low-latency wireless connectivity to the console, and improved ergonomics. System interactions that use the controller will be simplified to make them easier for non-core gamers," documentation recently obtain by VGLeaks alleged.

Although Redmond has yet to officially confirm console specs, the Xbox 720 is widely expected to be powered by an AMD 8-core x64 1.6GHz CPU, a D3D11.x 800MHz graphics platform and 8GB of DDR3 RAM.